Aialik Glacier Full Day Kayaking & Wildlife Cruise

Enjoy Aialik Glacier Kayaking, the best wildlife viewing tour!

The Aialik Glacier Full Day Kayaking & Wildlife Cruise tour, departing from Seward, is a truly unforgettable experience. Aialik Bay’s stunning beauty, with its diverse coastal wildlife, dramatic rock faces, and awe-inspiring tidewater glaciers, offers an unparalleled immersion in the Alaskan wilderness. Witnessing the majesty of the Aialik Glacier will create memories that will last a lifetime.

The Aialik Glacier is known for its calving activity. During your visit, you’ll likely witness large chunks of ice breaking off the glacier face, accompanied by a thunderous cracking sound. As a result, you’ll be paddling around small chunks of ice in the bay. After a day spent in this remarkable environment, you’ll truly understand why Alaska is called the Last Frontier.

We always choose Seward’s premier water taxi service for our Aialik Bay tours, which also provides a fantastic sightseeing and whale watching experience. And trust me, there are always plenty of whales to see! We’re proud to partner with Weather Permitting and Alaska Wildland Adventures to make this unforgettable trip possible. While onboard, your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating insights about the rugged Alaskan coastline and its diverse wildlife.

What to Expect

• Trip duration – The total door-to-door travel time is approximately 10-11 hours. This includes a 4–5-hour water taxi ride to and from Aialik Bay, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the local wildlife. The kayaking portion of the trip typically lasts 3-4 hours, covering roughly 5 miles round trip to and from the glacier.
• What if it’s raining? – Please keep in mind that Seward has a temperate rainforest climate, so you can expect some rain during your visit. However, all our trips operate rain or shine, and we’ll provide you with full rain gear to ensure your comfort and enjoyment.
• Is there any wildlife viewing? – Absolutely yes! This trip is perfect for you if you’re hoping to see wildlife. You can expect to encounter harbor seals, Steller sea lions (with a typical stop at a rookery), sea otters, mountain goats, bears, bald eagles, puffins, and of course, whales and killer whales! Please keep in mind that while we can’t guarantee specific sightings, the chances of encountering these animals are very high.
• How many people are on the trips? – To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, we maintain a 1:6 guide-to-participant ratio on our kayaking trips. While not every trip will have exactly this ratio, we never exceed it. Kayaking with us is a group activity, and we always maintain a pace that accommodates all skill levels. If you’d prefer a more personalized experience, please consider booking one of our private kayaking trips.
• What kind of kayaks you use? – All of our guests are provided with tandem sea kayaks for our group trips. We do not offer single kayaks as part of these tours.

What’s Included

• Full rain gear, dry bags, PFDs
• Lunch, snacks, hot chocolate, and hot cider
• Pick up/drop off to and from our local Seward hotels, lodges and campgrounds
• 4-5 hours of scenic wildlife viewing by water taxi 
• An unforgettable experience!

What to Bring/Wear

• Layering is key! While we do have rain gear available, you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Your guide will ensure everything is suitable for the conditions
• A hat, gloves, and sunglasses (stay optimistic!) are always recommended.
• Don’t forget a water bottle and a camera to capture the memories.
• If you’d like to show your appreciation, a tip for your guide is always welcome.

What to Consider

• Please arrive at the Adventure Sixty North office at 7:10 am to check in. You’ll meet your guide and complete any necessary waivers at that time. Your guide will then provide a briefing and outline the paddling route on the office chart. Afterward, they will assist you with getting properly geared up and ready to head to the Seward Boat Harbor.
• All of our trips operate rain or shine. We will only cancel a trip due to high winds in the bay that would create unsafe kayaking conditions.
• A signed assumption of risk and acknowledgement of risks form is required for all participants.

Our Guides – We take immense pride in our team of guides, and we’re confident that you’ll understand why after just one trip with us! All of our guides hold ACA Level 2 certification, which encompasses water rescues, group management, and a wide range of other skills. They also maintain up-to-date Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications. To ensure their skills remain sharp, our guides participate in a rigorous three-week training course each season.

Additionally, all guides who are cleared to operate in Aialik Bay undergo specialized training and must pass an assessment before guiding in this remarkable location. For your safety, our guides always carry bear spray, first aid kits, and essential safety gear on all trips.